The Tom Woods Show

Most American historians are atrociously bad at economic history, and the fallacies they peddle about how they think events occurred in the past go on to inform terrible decisions about economic policy in the present. Jeffrey Herbener joins me for a fallacy-free gallop through American economic history from the Civil War through the end of World War I. Jeff's course on American economic history is available to members of Liberty Classroom. Join at LibertyClassroom.com, and find coupon codes at: libertyclassroom.com/coupons Show notes for Ep. 1653

David Stockman, director of the Office of Management and Budget under Ronald Reagan, joins me for a discussion of the wisdom (or otherwise) of the response to COVID-19, and what the economic ramifications are. Sponsor: Skillshare Show notes for Ep. 1652

Ryan Daniel Moran, a libertarian who operates Capitalism.com, is a highly successful entrepreneur who first came on my radar when he made a video about the taxes he was paying -- which in turn reminded me of when Peter Schiff asked some progressives how much they thought he should pay, and their figure turned out to be lower than the real one. Today Ryan discusses the elements involved in building successful businesses. Sponsor: Blinkist Show notes for Ep. 1651

Eric Brakey, former state senator from Maine and a Tom Woods Show listener and supporter, is currently the frontrunner for the Republican nomination for U.S. Congress in his district. We discuss campaigning in the days of COVID, the swamp creatures who oppose him, and what his plans are once elected. Sponsor: Sanebox Show notes for Ep. 1650

Jeff Deist, president of the Mises Institute, invited me to be a guest on the Human Action podcast, which has been exploring each part of Ludwig von Mises' Human Action with a different expert each episode. My episode was the final episode: part 7. Here Mises reflects on the place of economics in society, the struggle involved in overcoming popular ignorance, and what hangs in the balance of this intellectual battle. Show notes for Ep. 1649

Jeff Deist, chairman of the Mises Institute, joins me to try to get to the bottom of why the response to COVID-19 (and the lockdowns) seems for the most part to divide along ideological lines, an outcome I myself did not expect. Show notes for Ep. 1648

One of the great Harry Browne's most important books was How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World. It is a blueprint for throwing off all manner of shackles (some self-imposed) that hold us back from living the lives we want. Audiobook narrator Ayrton Parham joins me. Sponsor: Skillshare Show notes for Ep. 1647

U.S. Congressman Justin Amash of Michigan recently joined the Libertarian Party and, having formed an "exploratory committee," seems certain to run for president. Dave Smith joins me to discuss Amash, libertarianism, and the Libertarian Party. Show notes for Ep. 1646

Sheriff Richard Mack of the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, who has a Supreme Court victory under his belt, joins me to discuss recent events involving American sheriffs and what powers the local sheriff has. Sponsor: Policy Genius Show notes for Ep. 1645

The old man here has succumbed and finally decided to make Tom Woods Show merchandise, so I've been consulting with a listener who's an expert in this area. This, in turn, reminded me of Rachel Rofe, the expert's expert from whom this listener himself learned what he knows. It's a fun side business -- making mugs, T-shirts, etc. -- if you know what you're doing (and even if you don't). Now seems like a sensible time to learn something like this, so Rachel walks us through it in today's episode. Print-on-Demand Webinar: tomwoods.com/rachel Show notes for Ep. 1644

In this potpourri episode I discuss the COVID economy, the role of the Libertarian Party, what our position on the shutdown should be, how to pitch libertarianism to the left, my advice to budding historians, and a lot more. Today's episode is drawn from my appearance on Decentralized Revolution, the podcast of the Libertarian Party's Mises Caucus. Show notes for Ep. 1643

Steven Nekhaila, who chairs the Libertarian Party of Florida, owns multiple businesses, and he joins me to discuss how the shutdown has been affecting business owners. Show notes for Ep. 1642

Matt Gurtler became politically aware during the 2008 Ron Paul presidential campaign, for which he volunteered, and is currently a state representative in Georgia. With an open U.S. congressional seat in his district and the endorsement of Thomas Massie, he has an excellent opportunity to add another voice of sanity to the U.S. Congress. We discuss life as a state rep, his campaign, his stance on the lockdowns, and more. Show notes for Ep. 1641

There's been speculation in the media about the health and whereabouts of North Korea's Kim Jong Il. This, in turn, has led some people to speculate about who might succeed him. Michael Malice joins us to correct the record. Show notes for Ep. 1640

Angela McArdle joins me to discuss the protest she's organizing in Los Angeles -- May 1, 2020, at 1:00pm near City Hall -- against the stay-at-home orders. People who protest these orders have been called every name in the book by respectable opinion, so I give Angela an opportunity to make the case. Show notes for Ep. 1639

Elizabeth Bartholet of Harvard Law School says homeschooling should be banned with very rare exceptions that parents would have to justify with overwhelming evidence. Her reasons are many, but one of them in particular is especially sinister. Show notes for Ep. 1638

In the midst of the pandemic Joe Biden has become invisible, even more of a nonentity than usual. Dan McCarthy has an intriguing take on what the mediocre, uninspiring Biden truly represents. Show notes for Ep. 1637

In this episode I cover a lot of ground, albeit a bit haphazardly: the unintended consequences of "lockdown," the superstitious reverence for "scientists" (who, contrary to popular belief, are not in fact qualified to answer all questions), what's really happening in the hospitals, the social repercussions, and more. Sponsor: Policy Genius Show notes for Ep. 1636

It's been ten years since my book Nullification was published, so it's an appropriate moment for a retrospective on how during that time the states have pushed back against various federal intrusions. The Tenth Amendment Center's Michael Boldin joins me. Sponsor: Harry's Show notes for Ep. 1635

Brad Birzer joins me to discuss J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, their friendship, and its inspiration for his latest project, which will knock your socks off. Sponsor: Skillshare Show notes for Ep. 1634